Photoshop is a raster image editor optimized for photo manipulation and digital art with desktop-first workflow, while Figma is a cloud-based vector design and UI/UX tool built for real-time collaboration and web design. Photoshop excels at pixel-level photo editing; Figma dominates web and app design workflows.
Photoshop vs Figma — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Choose Photoshop if you need professional photo retouching, digital painting with advanced brush engines, or work with extensive legacy PSD files and require offline access. Choose Figma if your team designs digital interfaces, websites, or apps, needs real-time collaboration, or prefers a browser-based tool that reduces software installation friction. For pure UI/UX design teams, Figma is more efficient; for photography and complex image manipulation, Photoshop remains unmatched.
Professional raster image editor for complex pixel manipulation, compositing, and graphic design.
Cloud-native collaborative design platform for UI/UX, web design, prototyping, and design systems.
Structured comparison data for Photoshop vs Figma with 233 attributes.
Monthly Subscription Cost (Standard Plan)
Annual Subscription Cost (Standard Plan)
Typical Learning Time (Beginner to Productive)
File Size Handling (optimal performance)
Processing Speed (1GB file, typical operation)
Monthly Subscription Cost (Single Editor)
Starter Plan Monthly Cost (Annual Billing)
Monthly Subscription Cost (Professional Plan)
Estimated Time to First Design (Beginner)
Photoshop vs Figma — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Photoshop vs Figma.
Can I use Figma instead of Photoshop for photo editing?
No. While Figma has basic selection and fill tools, it's not designed for photo retouching. Photoshop's Content-Aware Fill, Generative Fill, Neural Filters, and advanced brush engines are industry-standard for professional photo work. Figma excels at vector design and UI work, not pixel-level image manipulation.
Is Figma better for team design collaboration than Photoshop?
Yes, significantly. Figma's real-time multiplayer editing allows multiple designers to work on the same file simultaneously with live cursors and comments—built-in and native. Photoshop requires manual version control, file sharing, or third-party plugins like Frame.io, making it slower for collaborative workflows.
Partially. Figma requires an internet connection to edit files. After 30 days without internet, files switch to read-only mode. Photoshop, by contrast, offers full offline functionality with all tools available—making it better for work environments without reliable connectivity.
Which tool has a faster learning curve for beginners?
Figma is more intuitive for most people new to design software. Its interface is modern and clean with fewer hidden menus. Photoshop has a steep learning curve due to 50+ tools, complex menu structures, and deep settings panels—it requires significant training to use effectively.
What's the total cost of ownership for a design team of 10 people?
Photoshop (Creative Cloud): $55/month × 10 = $550/month ($6,600/year). Figma: $12/month × 10 editors = $120/month ($1,440/year). Figma is 75% cheaper for team design workflows. However, if photo editing is required, Photoshop's cost becomes justified as a specialized tool.